2 arrested in LMS arson case

2 arrested in LMS arson case

Two men have been arrested for arson that occurred at Hixson's Loftis Middle School in September 2012.

The two men arrested were 17 at the time the crime was committed and are now both 18. They have been charged as juveniles, but could still be tried as adults, said Janice Atkinson, public information officer for the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

"That's a decision that has to be made," said Atkinson.

When Dallas Bay firefighters responded to the Sept. 17 call to Loftis, they found no one inside the building. They extinguished a fire contained in one room.

Investigators found the school's main office wrecked and a dozen classrooms sustained water damage when the sprinkler system kicked in. Windows had been broken and curtains torn down, and fires had been set throughout the building.

"The investigation has been intensive and ongoing since the date of the incident," said Atkinson. "The investigators were very tenacious and followed up on every lead that came in, with a successful conclusion."

She said the two young men arrested have no connection to Loftis.

ATF special agent Darryl Hill said at a news conference April 12 it is unclear whether anyone will receive the $10,000 reward offered in November.